Michael Jay Williams

Michael Jay Williams Jr., D.B.A., is an affiliate professor in the Fire and Emergency Response Administration program in the Department of Human Services & Counseling at Metropolitan State University of Denver. His expertise includes fire protection and safety engineering, strategic planning, organizational leadership and development, evidence-based solutions implementation, and data-driven decision-making.

With more than 25 years of experience in the fire and emergency services field, Williams has held roles ranging from firefighter to senior leadership positions, applying both practical experience and academic insight to improve emergency response operations.

He serves as a Board Director for a Metropolitan District and is a former board director with the Society of Fire Protection Engineers. His research has been featured in Firehouse Magazine and the Business Management Research and Applications journal, particularly focusing on the effects of servant leadership on fire service employee engagement.

Before joining MSU Denver, Williams led multiple fire protection and operational strategy initiatives in both public service and consulting roles, with a focus on optimizing leadership structures and safety protocols.

Williams earned his Doctor of Business Administration from Columbia Southern University, his Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University–Global Campus, and his Bachelor’s degree in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology from Oklahoma State University.